Quite a reversal for an original Ray

By MARC TOPKIN, Times Staff Writer

© St. Petersburg Times
published April 1, 2002

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Given how the Rays dumped him off the 40-man roster and back to the minor leagues last April, Bobby Smith didn't know what to think.

He certainly didn't think he'd get added back to the roster after a strong Triple-A season, get back on the big-league team as a utilityman after a solid spring, and get back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's season opener when third baseman Russ Johnson went on the disabled list.

"Crazy, huh?" Smith said.

[Times photo: Michael Rondou] Bobby Smith is just one of four players from the 1997 expansion draft still with the Rays.

Smith, one of four players from the 1997 expansion draft still with the Rays, began last season as the starting second baseman, having beaten out Brent Abernathy on the final day of spring training.

But after six games (and two hits and 10 strikeouts in 19 at-bats), the Rays apparently saw enough. They designated Smith for assignment, and when no other teams wanted him, they sent him to Triple-A Durham and left him there for the year despite a .301 average, 22 homers and 70 RBIs in 107 games.

"They made the decision that they thought would help the ballclub, but in most situations you'd think they'd give you more than six days," Smith said. "But that was last year. I went down, worked hard and played well. Now we'll see what I can do this year. I just want to help the team."

When Smith was sent out last year, Johnson took over at second and played well until straining his quadriceps. Now Smith is taking over for Johnson, who won the third-base job but sprained a ligament in his foot.

"I just want to play," Smith said. "I just want to go out and play."

ANXIOUS MOMENTS: Rookie infielder Jason Smith had a tough final week of spring training, not knowing if he'd make his first opening-day roster.

"I tried not to let it bother me, but it did," Smith said. "There were a lot of things running through my mind."

When the Rays claimed Felix Escalona, it didn't look good for Smith. But when Johnson went on the disabled list, Smith made the roster -- for now. "I still don't know what's going to happen," he said.

DOG-TIED: The Rays completed the exhibition season with a 1-1 tie against their Class A Charleston affiliate.

The Rays led going to the ninth, but Jorge Sosa, who hasn't pitched above the Class A level, couldn't get the RiverDogs out, allowing a double to Joey Gathright and a tying single to Edgar Gonzalez.

Ryan Rupe tuned up for his Thursday start with three innings, and relievers Doug Creek, Victor Zambrano, Jesus Colome and Travis Phelps each worked an inning.

"It was a good game," Rays manager Hal McRae said. "The 'Dogs rallied at the end; I thought we had 'em. But our guys got some work and we're set up to go Tuesday."

Brandon Backe, headed to Double-A Orlando, pitched well for Charleston, allowing two hits through five innings.

"I know it was a thrill for our guys to be on the field with big leaguers, to play before a big crowd (4,138) and to play what I thought was pretty good baseball," RiverDogs manager Buddy Biancalana said.

ROTATION SHUFFLE: McRae said he moved Rupe up to Thursday's game against Detroit and Joe Kennedy back to Friday's game in New York because the matchups were better.

READY TO GO: The 10-16-1 Grapefruit League record aside, general manager Chuck LaMar said McRae did an outstanding job getting the team ready. "I think this club is more prepared going into opening day than any spring training we've ever had," LaMar said. "The numbers were down, there weren't as many jobs people were competing for, Hal was able to get the pitchers their innings and the hitters their at-bats, and the starters played more often. It doesn't ensure us getting off to a good start, but I think we've taken all the steps we can."

MISCELLANY: Leftfielder Jason Tyner left Sunday's game with tightness in his right calf but said it was "no big deal." ... The Rays will have a closed workout at 5 p.m. today at Tropicana Field. ... Wilson Alvarez will pitch in a 10 a.m. game at the minor-league complex. ... Johnson is disappointed but philosophical about missing Tuesday's opener: "It won't be my last opening day."

Today's lineup

Rays